BILL NUMBER: S201
SPONSOR: CLEARE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to permitting pregnant
women to enroll in health insurance during a special enrollment period
without penalty
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Amends the insurance law to permit pregnant women to enroll in health
insurance during a special enrollment period without penalty.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends the insurance law to permit pregnant women to enroll
in health insurance during a special enrollment period without penalty.
Section 2: Effective Date-Next January Succeeding Chaptering.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In New York State we must do all we can to improve access to empowering
and early prenatal care. Decisions about pregnancy are time sensitive
whether or not the pregnant individual chooses to continue the pregnan-
cy. Having prenatal care is critical for pregnant women's health and to
ensure positive pregnancy outcomes. Penalties or fees associated with a
special enrollment period for pregnant individuals are a costly and
unnecessary deterrent to care; this bill places patients before profits.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2019-2020: A8684 - Referred to Insurance (Similar Bill).
2022: 88241-A.-Passed Senate.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Next January Succeeding Chaptering.

Statutes affected:
S201: 4328 insurance law, 4328(b) insurance law